Grateful Dead

Here is a perspective for someone relatively new to this world. I never saw the Dead live before Jerry's passing. Had a handful of opportunities, but always thought they'd be around forever. Then Aug '95 happened, and I regretted not going when I had the chance. Saw Phil a few times over the years. Some off shows, some rocked my world. And every time I have seen Bruce, he leaves us totally satisfied. Over the last 20 years, I have amassed an archive like most folks, and although I was not even alive in '72, could tell a '72 show from a '71, from '69, from '77, from '78, and so forth. Have my faves as well as stuff I could really take or leave. So, there's your background for what it's worth. Only had the dough for one show, and am not deadicated enough to do the "miracle" thing, so 6/27 was it. Probably for the rest of my life. My highlights: - Bobby just ripped through some of those songs. The look of surprise, relief, and even ecstasy on his face when he finished the marathon verse near the end of the Eleven, and then the roar of love back from the crowd was worth the price of that ticket. Beautiful moment. Truckin', The Other One, Morning Dew, all had similar moments where Bobby laid it all on the line. Love that guy more than ever. - Cryptical. What a way to start the first of the last second sets! - The moments when Dark Star and St Stephen began. Those iconic notes, 70,000 folks recognizing the magic that was happening. So choice. - The guy with the hugs during St Stephen. Those in section 122 know what I'm talking about. - Decent view from a "No view of the stage" seat. - Kind people all around. - Trey has clearly done his homework. So impressed, especially with Cream Puff, Truckin, St Stephen, The Other One, and Morning Dew. Those songs require much more than just proficient musicianship, and he delivered. - All the boys appeared to be enjoying themselves. - The rainbow and stunning sunset. (perfectly timed?) - Loved the old folks. So chill and just happy to be there. A lot of young folks seemed more worried about scoring their next hit than enjoying the music. But you old heads seem to have a perspective. Stuff I could have done without: - A first set that takes a full hour to get through six songs is not my kind of first set. Seven, I guess, if you count the Born Cross-Eyed, which nobody around me seemed to notice before it had already come and gone. - Soooo much directionless noodling. I took a break during an extended noodle, and the concourses were packed with thousands of people who, like me, had lost interest. Not even paying attention to the music anymore. Coulda been intermission for all I knew. I got the impression that at times, other members of the band were trying to get back on track, but Phil would pull them back to another meander. Other than those moments, they seemed to be roughly on the same page. - There were maybe three moments when I actually heard Bruce's keys. The guys knows his stuff. Turn him up! And why was Chimenti even there. I only heard him once, and it was some kind of Spacey electronic effect. Like Bruce, use the guy! Turn him up! - Drums was great until Mickey stopped playing. And then I could barely hear Billy over the electronic noise. If you're going to do a '69-style second set, put the gadgets away and play some drums, man! - Left Cryptical unfinished (should be a big asterisk on any setlist). Was so excited to see how they would bring it back around, but they never did. Would have been a great bookend to Dark Star, St Stephen, Drums/Space, The Other One. But I'm being too picky here. - I guess Phil moaning into the mic during Space was supposed to be What's Become of the Baby? Heard many old heads around me who were just as confused as I was about that. - Bruce and Trey can sing many songs and do right by them. I loved to see Bobby hit those tunes with his entire soul. But, it wouldn't hurt to let Bruce or Trey bring him some relief. And with Bobby, Trey and Bruce all on the stage, why is Phil singing so much? Went to see JGB with John K at the Warfield the night before. Much tighter set, plenty of jamming, but with intent, like they were taking us somewhere. And the tunes! Those are my thoughts. Love.

Exactly the spirit and friendliness we saw in the Santa Clara lot last weekend. Sharing food, fun, laughs, other stuff...strangers stopping strangers......Great to get the "family" back together. Have great fun in Chicago

Who thinks they will try to tackle that one again haha. All in grate fun. Chicago will see more cohesion no doubt. What other band could jam together basically for the first time as a unit in front of 80000 and pull it off. Why they last a lifetime, lov'em!!!